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August in Tokyo is usually when the summer heat hits its peak, resulting in plenty of sweaty messes on the trains, peak electricity usage and incessant dehydration warnings (be sure to also check for heatstroke warnings). However, August is also the month for some of the city's best festivals, and chances to cool down at one of the city's many public pools and water parks.Â
Looking for more things to do?Â
- The best summer festivals in Tokyo
- The tastiest kakigori shaved ice in Tokyo- The best day trips from TokyoÂ
When you're spending time in a city as big as Tokyo, it's never too early to start planning for the week ahead. From art exhibitions and foodie events to seasonal festivities and outdoor happenings, you can pack a lot into seven days in the capital.
Wondering where to start? We've sorted through the many events and venues in Tokyo that are still open and running during this time, plus we're keeping an eye on hottest new openings around the capital. Â
Want to make your weekend an exciting one? We've rounded up the best events, festivals, parties, art exhibitions and must-see spots in Tokyo for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Looking to get out of the city for a bit? Take a day trip to one of these nearby destinations, or head to an outlet mall just outside Tokyo for some great shopping deals. If that wasn't enough, you can also stop by one of Tokyo's regular markets, like the weekly UNU Farmer's Market near Shibuya.Â
With summer finally here, itâs also the perfect time to head to Tokyoâs best beer gardens and rooftop bars and restaurants. You can also look forward to many of Tokyo's summer festivals and fireworks.
Read on to find more great things to do in Tokyo this weekend.
Note: Do check the event and venue websites for the latest updates.
With an abundance of art shows happening this season, it'll be hard to catch all of the latest installations before they disappear. Nonetheless, we've got a list of the top art exhibitions taking place in some of Tokyo's most popular museums and galleries to help you figure out where to start.
For a full day of art excursions, you should also check out Tokyo's best street art and outdoor sculptures, or fill your Instagram feed at teamLab Borderless or teamLab Planets.
Note that some museums and galleries require making reservations in advance to prevent overcrowding at the venues.Â
RECOMMENDED: Escape the city with the best art day trips from Tokyo
Summer in Tokyo may be a time of scorching heat, but itâs also one of the cityâs most vibrant seasons with fireworks, traditional festivals and dancing in the streets. These lively events undoubtedly help make the city's steamy nights a little more bearable. The celebrations usually start around Tanabata (July 7) and continue with events dedicated to everything from sunflowers to Awa Odori dances.
We've put together a list of all the major summer festivals happening in Tokyo from July through September 2026. Now's your turn to experience the magic of summer and fill up on delicious matsuri food.
RECOMMENDED: Don't miss the best fireworks festivals in and near Tokyo
Tokyo takes its desserts seriously, especially in summer when all we think about is where to cool down with the best ice cream, kakigori and other frozen treats. From coffee soft-serve and cereal-infused ice cream to guilt-free goodness and intense matcha delights, there's really something for everyone in our super-cool list of the best ice cold treats in Tokyo.
RECOMMENDED:Â the best kakigori shaved ice in TokyoÂ
Watch out for âflyingâ penguins! Located on top of the Sunshine City complex, this partially open-air oasis opened its remodelled penguin area last year. Take a stroll under a giant water tank and spot penguins overhead with Tokyoâs cityscape as the backdrop â a breathtaking view you wonât find anywhere else. Another new feature is the skywalk, housing pelicans which are especially fun to check out during feeding time.
Other popular spots include the deep blue Jellyfish Tunnel and the Sunshine Lagoon, a huge tank with a wide variety of fish. When it comes to snack time, youâll love the light blue-coloured sea salt soft serve ice cream, made from Okinawaâs âsnow saltâ.
Cookie Time was founded in Christchurch, New Zealand way back in 1983 by two brothers who are passionate about the all-popular treat. Since then, the cookie specialist has been selling cookies across the country and opened its first and only international outpost in the colourful fashion district of Harajuku in Tokyo. This store offers fresh-off-the-oven cookies, with creative and decadent flavours such as salted caramel, triple chocolate, banoffee, lemon white chocolate and more.
Cookie Time is dedicated to serving the best âpairingâ for its cookies, offering fresh milk on tap, as well as creating cookie-inspired desserts including milkshakes, cookie dough, ice cream and sâmores. The OTT Freak Shakes are a crowd-pleaser: these indulgently rich milkshakes are topped with whipped cream, candy bars, caramel sauce or melted chocolate, sprinkles and, of course, a cookie or two.
International sushi chef Jiro Onoda is hosting a series of classes focused on making rainbow sushi. Donât worry, you donât need any cooking experience to join. The classes are open to anyone interested to learn how to make sushi using traditional Edo-style techniques.
The vibrant rolls are inspired by colours of the rainbow, and Onoda only uses all-natural ingredients to create the many-hued assortments. Classes are roughly two hours long: youâll be taught customary slicing techniques before preparing seven different maki rolls and six different nigiri. There will also be a tutorial on how to make the quintessential dashimaki tamago (Japanese-style omlette).
At the end of the lesson, you can enjoy eating what youâve made with the rest of the class. The venue is located accross from the main street of Kappabashi, famous for its traditional kitchenware, so you may be inspired to look for some Japanese cooking utensils for your own kitchen after the lesson. Having worked at restaurants in Shanghai and Vancouver as well as Tokyo, Onoda is fluent in English and Mandarin. As the class will primarily be in English, you wonât have a hard time following along if youâre visiting Tokyo from overseas.Â
Click here to make a reservation. You can pay on the day with either cash or credit.Â
Though it doesn't have its own heartwarming tale like Shibuya's Hachiko, this owl statue inside Ikebukuro Station is still a popular meeting spot. The name, Ikefukuro, is a play on Ikebukuro and fukuro (owl in Japanese).
Located a few minutes from the station, this hotel boasts eight restaurants offering a variety of dining options including kaiseki (traditional Japanese multicourse dinner), teppanyaki and European cuisines. They offer free wi-fi and a direct limousine bus service from Haneda and Narita airports.
If you're on a budget or a diet but love pizza, then stop here for a quick meal. The lunch sets start from ¥650 and include a (large) pizza slice with organic salad and a drink.
If you come out of the west exit of Ebisu Station and stay off the main road, youâll discover a network of backstreets offering an array of restaurants serving different cuisines. It can be a difficult choice if youâre not sure what youâre in the mood for. But should a craving for Thai food hit you, youâre in luck. Gapao Shokudo, which also has branches in Shibuya and Omotesando, beckons from the first floor on one street corner with its bright red signage and colourful window lights. Inside, itâs just as festive, with white-washed tabletops, tropical looking plants dotted around, and friendly staff ready to seat you. We visited on a week night and it was busy enough to feel vibey but we didnât have to queue to get a counter spot. If you prefer a table, you might need to reserve.Â
The menu features a wealth of Thai dishes and you can choose the spice level. For those who prefer no chilli at all, weâd recommend the Gana Massaman Curry Chicken with Coconut Milk (Â¥980, pictured above), ordered with a side of rice. The flavouring was actually on the sweet side (delicious!) and although the portion size looks small, it was packed with filling chicken, potato and veggies and we ended up struggling to finish it. For those who love the burn, go for the Gang Ped Gung Red Curry Prawn with Coconut (Â¥1.080). This is probably not the best Thai food you'll have in Tokyo, but the prices are reasonable, the atmosphere is fun and casual, and it'll still hit the spot.
Itâs hard to believe August is almost here. The first weekend of the month is shaping up to be an exciting one in Tokyo, with numerous fireworks festivals and other summer festivities happening across the capital. If youâve got time to squeeze in even more fun, there are also a number of traditional Bon Odori festivals taking place, with some celebrations starting earlier in the week. These lively summer gatherings are the perfect opportunity to join in the dancing, practice the traditional Bon Odori moves, and dress up in a yukata for the full festival experience.
Photo: Tsukiji HongwanjiTsukiji Hongwanji Bon Odori
Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple Noryo Bon Odori Festival
July 29-August 1
Summer in Tokyo is defined by festivals, and one of the most spectacular is Bon Odori, a traditional dance celebration held in neighbourhoods across the city. Originally a way to honour the spirits of the dead, Bon Odori has evolved into a lively, family-friendly event.Â
The celebration at Tsukiji Hongwanji from July 29 to August 1 is one of Tokyoâs most popular Bon Odori festivals. Don a yukata and join the crowds dancing around the yagura stage from 7pm to 9pm (6pm to 8.30pm on Saturday).Â
Not to worry if you donât know the steps â just mimic the dance moves of the locals next to you. The festival is also famous for its delectable food selection from nearby Tsukiji Market, so go early and dance up an appetite for a feast.Â
Photo: Nakano Bon Odori Festivalãäžéé§ å倧çèžã倧äŒã
Nakano Bon Odori Festival
Tokyoâs summer festival season is in full swing, and this week â especially this weekend â brings some of the biggest fireworks displays of the year. From a spectacular show along the banks of the Edo River to dazzling festivals in nearby Enoshima and Ome, there are plenty of opportunities to see the night sky light up. So dust off your yukata, arrive early to secure a good viewing spot â even if you donât have a paid seat, you can still catch the fireworks from nearby vantage points â and enjoy an evening of colourful displays, festival food and summer celebrations.
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Katsushika Noryo Fireworks Festival
July 28
Held every year for more than half a century along the Edogawa River, Katsushika's popular fireworks festival, taking place on July 28, is known for the unusually short distance between the launch site and the spectator area. This allows visitors to watch, hear and feel the impact of the around 20,000 fireworks up close.
It also features the spectacular 'Niagara Falls' and 'Digital Star Mine' crackers, both supposedly representing the latest in firework technology. On your way to the river, take a stroll along the picturesque street leading from Taishakuten Temple for a glimpse of what summer in Edo â the former name of Tokyo â might have felt like.
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Edogawa Fireworks Festival
August 1
The Edogawa Fireworks Festival has been lighting up Tokyoâs eastern skies for more than five decades, making it one of the cityâs most established firework
With the recent heat, it finally feels like summer is officially here to stay. And with the city packed with festivals and fireworks, thereâs plenty to look forward to throughout the warmer months. This coming long weekend includes Sea Day, making it the perfect excuse to head to one of the many beaches near Tokyo â or stay in the city and experience one of its lively traditional festivals. From joyous Bon Odori dances to atmospheric lantern light-ups, here are the festivals you shouldnât miss.
Photo: Shota NagaoSendagaya Bon Odori Festival
Sendagaya Bon Odori Festival
July 17-18
Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine is celebrating a Bon Odori festival on the evenings of July 17 and 18. You can expect food stalls set up by local businesses, as well as games and activities for children. Plus, of course, the requisite communal dancing.Â
Come at 4pm to learn the choreography, and you can join in one of the Bon Odori dances happening at 5.30pm, 7pm or 7.50pm (5.30pm, 6.45pm and 8pm on Saturday).Â
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Daibon
July 18
Get ready to get your groove on at Daibon on Saturday July 18, a modern rendition of the traditional Bon Odori festival held at Hachiman Shrine in Yamatocho. Here, the festivities include a line-up of DJs and contemporary artists, merging the timeless customs with the energetic pulse of new-wave beats.Â
Watch as the festival comes alive with live DJ sets, which have in the past featured eclectic talents like Chinbantei Goraku Shisho and the invigorating perf
With hydrangeas already blooming across Tokyo and Pride Month underway, the city is bursting with things to see and do. June brings a jam-packed calendar of festivals, celebrations and community events, among them three traditional festivals that will take over the city streets with lively parades, ornate mikoshi (portable shrines) and plenty of local culture on display. Better yet, two of these festivals are taking place in their grandest form this year, making for a particularly rare and spectacular experience.
And this is just the beginning of the seasonâs festivities â many more summer festivals are still to come in July and August.
Here are the June festivals you should mark on your calendar:Â
åçæäŸïŒå°æ±åºãé³¥è¶ç¥ããé³¥è¶ç¥ç€ŸTorigoe Matsuri
Torigoe Matsuri
See a huge four-tonne portable shrine being shuttled through the streets near Torigoe Shrine in Asakusabashi at this traditional festival known for the intense fights that invariably break out over who gets to carry the monster mikoshi.Â
The main event is on Sunday June 7 from 6.50am to 9pm, when the mikoshi is carried through the streets. If you want to catch the best of the action in the glow of beautifully lit lanterns, be there at around 8.30pm to see the mikoshi make its way back to the shrine.Â
Meanwhile on Saturday June 6, local neighbourhood associations parade their own, much smaller portable shrines around the area. Also donât miss the food stalls that are set up along the streets during the festival.Â
Photo: Chiyoda Ci
A few times a year, the breathtaking Kiyozumi-dera Temple that overlooks Kyoto city hosts special nighttime visits, where the templeâs structures and surrounding foliage are illuminated for a mesmerising display. The Buddhist temple, which is over 1,200 years old, is part of the Unesco World Heritage Site known collectively as the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.
The temple's seasonal light-up events occur every spring, summer and autumn. The annual autumn illumination in 2025 is scheduled to run for just 16 days from November 22 to December 7. While Kiyomizu-dera usually opens from 6am and closes at 6pm, it will extend its hours until 9.30pm (last entry 9pm) for the duration of the event, so visitors will have more time to appreciate the beauty of the temple and its scenery after dark.Â
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A post shared by é³çŸœå±± æž æ°Žå¯ºïœKiyomizu-dera temple (@feel_kiyomizudera)
In addition to the illumination across the temple grounds and Jojuin garden, Kiyozumi-dera will also shine a bright blue beam into the night sky to symbolise the compassion of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy enshrined at the temple.Â
There is a general admission fee of Â¥500 for adults and Â¥200 for junior high and elementary school students.Â
For more autumn leaves illuminations at Kyoto temples and gardens, read our latest feature here. And if youâre looking for unique autumn experiences in Kyoto, check out this momiji tunnel train and this gorgeous autumn